CARDIN, HASTINGS TO LEAD U.S. DELEGATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE MEETING IN ATHENS

WASHINGTON--U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and Co-Chairman , will lead a bipartisan Congressional delegation to an international energy security and climate change meeting in Athens October 9-11, 2009.

With an eye toward the Copenhagen Climate Conference this December, Senator Cardinwill deliver a keynote address on the importance of international cooperation on energy policy and place a particular focus on the security and human rights dimensions of the energy debate.

More than 200 parliamentarians from 49 OSCE countries will participate in the Fall Meeting of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA). Sessions will focus on energy security, environmental policy and Mediterranean trade issues. Senator Cardin is Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly.

Congressman Hastings, a past president of the Assembly now serves as its Special Representative on Mediterranean Affairs. Congressman Hastings will present a report on the Mediterranean forum hosted in Washington this July. The Athens meeting will address economic cooperation in the Mediterranean region and evaluate the challenges within the OSCE Mediterranean Dimension. Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation Algeria, Egypt, Israel and Jordan are scheduled to participate.